Bolton’s Bailey Murry (2, front) goes after the ball against ASH on Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of Melinda Martinez / The Town Talk

1/27/13Bolton falls to ASH in Boys Soccer Action

From The Town Talk

By: Warren Hayes

Bolton High boys soccer coach Jeremy Poklemba is wondering if his team is suffering from a holiday hangover. Poklemba said his team was in the giving spirit and gave up two easy goals -- one a penalty kick -- in their 2-0 loss at Alexandria Senior High on Tuesday.

"We basically gave them last holiday gifts by letting them have easy goals. ASH's field is a little shorter than ours," said Poklemba, who's team is now 11-8-5 and 3-1 in district. "That's not an excuse though. We were ranked No. 7 in the state before this loss. We have to play better defense."

ASH senior center Spencer Holt tried a play on a ball and was fouled which led Trojans senior forward Hunter Greene to score the penalty kick in the first half.

Greene scored in the second half after a quick throw in "caught Bolton by surprise."

"I owe a lot to the team and we have a good group of (10) seniors," he said. "We have chance to win a state championship because we have good talent."

Bolton senior goalie David Fowler had three saves and Trojans senior goalie Jackson Close five saves.

One of Close's saves was almost converted into a goal when Bears sophomore forward Aaron Williams tried a kick from the left side of the goal.

"We have a chance to be ranked No. 1 in the state," Close said. "When you play at home, it seems to give you the extra energy you need to pull out wins."

ASH is now 17-3-5 and 4-0 in district, and boys soccer coach Sons Pathoumthong is hoping the momentum from the wins in district play will lead his team to a championship.

"Seven of our 10 seniors are starters so we have the experience to win a championship," he said. "We wanted to put the pressure on Bolton and being at home was an advantage. Hunter is our leading scorer and playmaker and has a will to fight for the ball, and this was Jackson's fourth shutout in district play. The experience we have will take us far."